Assoc. Prof. Ben Chen
"Any way that I can, I want to give back."
A Gift That Will Last Generations
For Ben, including Burgmann in his Will was a natural extension of the gratitude he feels toward the College.
‘Charities like Burgmann do incredibly important work,’ he says. ‘And at a time when the tertiary sector is facing significant challenges, private individuals can play an important role in supporting students.’
While the impact of a bequest may not be seen immediately, its significance can last for generations.
‘I know there is a cost-of-living crisis right now, and everyone has their own circumstances. But to whatever extent we can, it’s important to support institutions that helped us.’
‘My own tertiary education was partially funded by Burgmann. Any way that I can, I want to give back.’
As a Law lecturer and researcher at Sydney University and Beryl Society member, Ben Chen (2008-2012), has an insider’s view on both the importance of making a Will and the extraordinary value of charitable bequests to education.
Ben made his own bequest to Burgmann because of what a bursary made possible. Arriving in Australia from mainland China in his early teens, the first-generation immigrant and his single mum faced all the challenges of a new country, language and culture, while also facing the struggles of financial hardship.
‘Culturally, China is very different to Australia. It was a challenge adapting to a new environment, but everyone was incredibly friendly,’ Ben says.
‘The biggest challenge was financial. Mum raised me all alone and worked multiple jobs to give us a better life. We moved between rental properties and rented out our spare rooms to make ends meet,’ he recalls.
Like many new Australians, Ben attended a public school in Sydney’s Inner West, and when he finished, says all he wanted was to leave home. Applying to the University of Melbourne and the ANU, Ben received offers of partial financial assistance from both, but the bursary from Burgmann College made living on campus financially viable. Ben chose Burgmann and has never looked back.
A community that changes lives
Here, Ben found much more than just a place to live during his studies.
The bursary alleviated financial pressure, allowing Ben to focus on his studies and achieve good grades, and perhaps even more importantly, it gave him the freedom to actively participate in student activities and societies.
‘The Burgmann community and College life had a huge impact on me, my studies and my career,’ he says.
‘Burgmann was incredibly supportive—the residents were friendly and helpful; Principal Dutton and the staff were very supportive. I just felt like I was at home from the outset. And I had all the academic and personal support I didn’t know I needed.
‘Burgmann was incredibly open-minded and embracing of diversity. Living with like-minded individuals in a highly supportive environment was the perfect transition into adulthood. The friendships I made there have been long-lasting.
‘When my friends’ and colleagues’ children are graduating from high school, I always recommend Burgmann to them.’
The bursary from Burgmann helped Ben graduate with a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 2013. He went on to obtain a PhD in Economics in 2018 and a JSD (the US equivalent of a PhD in Law) in 2019. He believes his formative experience at Burgmann contributed significantly to all these academic milestones.
The challenges facing students today
Now an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney Law School, Ben has a heightened awareness of the increasing challenges faced by today’s students.
‘Even in my short time working in the tertiary sector, I’ve seen declining government support for students and universities, and that’s unfortunate,’ he says.
‘If I imagine trying to do what I did 15 or 20 years ago now, I think it would be much harder.
‘Colleges like Burgmann provide an incredibly important environment where students can flourish both academically and personally. But to do that, they need support.’
Residential colleges play a particularly vital role at ANU, which attracts students from across Australia and around the world.
‘Moving away from home to Canberra presents challenges for students from the outset,’ he says.
‘My own tertiary education was partially funded by Burgmann, and I have been a beneficiary of that ever since. Any way that I can, I want to give back.’
A simple step with lasting impact
Despite his own legal background, Ben used the Gathered Here platform offered by Burgmann to make his Will, including his charitable bequest to the Burgmann College Endowment Fund.
‘It was really easy to use—it took me five minutes, did the job, and didn’t cost anything. For people with more complex situations or concerns, it’s advisable to seek professional advice. However, this is a great solution for those with simple wishes.
‘The reality is, making a Will is something people often put off or don’t think about, especially in my age group. But it’s very important. It makes things much easier for your family. Making a Will is something you should do for your loved ones.’
